Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Proclamation of Good News
Sushil Mammen
Long Island MTC, NY
10 Sing and rejoice, O
daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord.
Have you ever waited for something in such high anticipation that you couldn't contain yourself? It happened all the time when I was a kid. Christmas was my favorite holiday because I would receive gifts. I couldn't wait to open all the new things that people got me. Sometimes I would wait till Christmas day to open my gifts just because it was tradition. But most of the time I would sneak the gifts up to my room and open them up right away. Waiting was the worst part. But when finally the wait was over, the end thing, in this case gift, that I had been waiting for wasn't all that worth it.
The Jews expected a king to come and save them from years of turmoil and grief. They waited thousands of years just for God to show His glory upon them. Prophecy after prophecy was written, like in the passage above, declaring that God would soon come and be with His people. But when God sent His son Jesus into the world, it wasn't what the people were expecting. They wanted royalty, riches and power. Though the prophecies were fulfilled exactly as it was written, it wasn't enough for the people of Israel. They wanted something more. They didn't understand the full concept of what Jesus came to do.
Many times we are just like the Israelites. We want a God that can fulfill our wishes. But when our wishes don’t become real, with turn against God and lose faith. In fact, when this is our viewpoint and notion, we miss the greatest gift of all. That God sent His son Jesus down on the earth, to be with His people, His creation. To walk with them, interact with them and empathize with them. And to pay the ultimate sacrifice for their sins, so that they may be able to live again. This was His grace given freely to us though we were undeserving. So let us not take that gift for granted and “Shout and be glad” that Jesus still “lives among you.”
Have you ever waited for something in such high anticipation that you couldn't contain yourself? It happened all the time when I was a kid. Christmas was my favorite holiday because I would receive gifts. I couldn't wait to open all the new things that people got me. Sometimes I would wait till Christmas day to open my gifts just because it was tradition. But most of the time I would sneak the gifts up to my room and open them up right away. Waiting was the worst part. But when finally the wait was over, the end thing, in this case gift, that I had been waiting for wasn't all that worth it.
The Jews expected a king to come and save them from years of turmoil and grief. They waited thousands of years just for God to show His glory upon them. Prophecy after prophecy was written, like in the passage above, declaring that God would soon come and be with His people. But when God sent His son Jesus into the world, it wasn't what the people were expecting. They wanted royalty, riches and power. Though the prophecies were fulfilled exactly as it was written, it wasn't enough for the people of Israel. They wanted something more. They didn't understand the full concept of what Jesus came to do.
Many times we are just like the Israelites. We want a God that can fulfill our wishes. But when our wishes don’t become real, with turn against God and lose faith. In fact, when this is our viewpoint and notion, we miss the greatest gift of all. That God sent His son Jesus down on the earth, to be with His people, His creation. To walk with them, interact with them and empathize with them. And to pay the ultimate sacrifice for their sins, so that they may be able to live again. This was His grace given freely to us though we were undeserving. So let us not take that gift for granted and “Shout and be glad” that Jesus still “lives among you.”
PRAYER
God, we thank you for
your Son, Jesus, and giving us a second chance to live for you. Help us to be
joyful in all circumstances and love as you have loved. Thank you for your
gift. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Put aside our selfish desires and focus on the greatest gift, Jesus.
Put aside our selfish desires and focus on the greatest gift, Jesus.